At World War Zero, we've spent the last year sharing our thoughts about the potentials for renewable energy and clean sources of electrical power. But today we're talking about a different source of energy, one that can truly electrify our country and the world. That source is voting -- the ultimate form of renewable power.

Voting is each American's chance to hire the men and women who will lead us into the future. Or ... to fire those who won't. That's what our friend, John Glenn, the late senator from Ohio, meant when he described elections as "the personnel department of the Constitution." Whatever challenges we face, American democracy can work -- but only if people like you vote.

"Whatever challenges we face, American democracy can work -- but only if people like you vote."

As for the two of us, our lives are stories of faith in an America redeemed. We each began our separate journeys in the latter half of last century and continue them now at the onset of the 21st. We've battled through eras of staggering transformation in how we all live, learn, work and relate to each other. Old assumptions were tested and challenged, and faith in our fundamental institutions came under intense scrutiny.

That doesn't mean we agree on everything. In fact, the two of us disagree on plenty. But we're both optimists about America and, in particular, we're bullish on America's ability to tackle the climate crisis.

"...we're both optimists about America and, in particular, we're bullish on America's ability to tackle the climate crisis."

For two people who have at times been unafraid to stand alone, we also share a deep belief in the importance of togetherness -- that individual citizens joining hands in a democracy make the essential difference. We believe community and grassroots action is the only way to succeed in taking on the system, disturbing the status quo, and not taking "no" for an answer. We believe in Nelson Mandela's affirmation that "it only seems impossible -- until it is done."

• Want climate action? Vote.
• Want clean energy manufacturing revolutions? Vote.
• Tired of a shouting match alienating citizens who desperately yearn for more? Vote.
• Sick of being trapped in a political pinball machine where we careen from flipper to flipper, bouncing off walls of insults, contradictions, outright lies and broken promises -- where up is down and the truth doesn't mean anything anymore? Vote.

So, vote for truth. Vote for Earth.

• Vote with confidence that there's nothing wrong with America and the world today that can't be fixed by what's right with our citizens and with people all over the world.
• Vote knowing that we don't have to be stuck disproving the crazy proposition that 2+2=5.
• Vote with confidence that the clean energy industry now employs nearly five times as many Americans as the fossil fuel industry.
• Vote knowing that twice as much was invested worldwide in renewables capacity last year than in fossil-fuel generation.
• Vote knowing that jobs in solar and wind energy are growing 12 times faster than the rest of America's economy.
• Vote because you're determined to get to the global, low-carbon economy we all need in time.
• Vote because we can restore civility to governance.
• Vote because we can insist on leadership that compromises on policy without compromising on principle.
• Vote because we can turn this moment of adversity into an age of unparalleled opportunity.

"...individual citizens joining hands in a democracy make the essential difference."

No matter what you choose to do, never underestimate your power -- and the extraordinary responsibility and privilege found in one seven-letter word: "citizen."

In the end, everything depends on building trust and organizing around a set of principles. Everything depends on people voting. So vote like it matters. Vote to protect our children's futures. Vote for Earth.